Glam on the Green - A Shiny New Online Golf Shop

No two ways about it, the era of unattractive golf clothing is officially over.

I'm not saying hideous golf fashion is extinct. Not at all... it's not even an endangered species... but nowadays there are definitely options. Myriad options... for golfers of all shapes and sizes. For young and old(er).

And shopping has never been so simple. More and more online golf shops are launching... they're equipped with distinctive collections and the latest e-commerce technology.

New to the scene is Glam on the Green, featuring a creatively curated collection of awesome apparel lines. Shoes by Sandbagger and Skorts by Loudmouth are among my favorites. They also carry great accessories, so you can add belts, bags and ball markers to your look.

I'll have an index of online golf stores on my new site which I'm getting ready to launch... and Glam on the Green will surly be one of them.

A Cute Little Smiley Face Golf Girl

I'm not generally a fan of smileys, but I've got to admit I find this one pretty cute.

Only Two Things: A "Men Only" Grill - OK or No Way?

This is a touchy one. The Men's Grill, that bastion that exists at many clubs... it's often a bar/casual dining establishment... it may involve cigars and/or cards and/or a big screen TV or two.

The common denominator however is that women are not permitted inside. Sometimes they're given their own "room" sometimes not, either way though the "Men Only" room is off limits to the "fairer sex"... which many women find decidedly UNfair. Some men don't like it either but at the same time there are quite a few men... and women... who are fine with it. So what do you think?

That's what we'll be talking about tonight on "Only Two Things". We'll be broadcasting from 9:30 - 10:30PM ET. And you can weigh in, on-air by using call-in number 917-889-9592. Or join the conversation in the chat room or on Twitter... or just listen at BlogTalkRadio. Talk to you tonight.

My Search for an Awesome Sunday Golf Bag

So that's what I'm looking for.

They used to call them "Sunday bags", but now I hear people referring to them as "range bags".

I want something like the one in the illustration at left. These over-the-shoulder appear to have been popular at the Home of Golf in bygone years, as illustrated in the charming vintage poster at left.

I'm looking for something light... something that accommodates several clubs while remaining compact and easy to carry. A stand would be nice, but not necessary. Oh... and I want it to be at least somewhat cute. As in, not too utilitarian.

So let me know if you see anything along those lines or if you have a bag to recommend.

Au Revoir Evian, a l'Année Prochaine.... Bisous!

I'm always sad to see the Evian Masters end.

Falling as it does in late July, I tend associate the end of the tournament with the beginning of the end of summer. I know we still have a month or more left but the days are already getting shorter and subliminally I've already renounced some of the more ambitious summer adventures I fantasized about in late Spring. The garden party I talked about having... and the weekend rafting trip I thought about taking, probably won't happen. It's been too busy around here to plan such things... as I knew it would be... but I look forward to the possibilities each year, and write them off as I see the lady golfers leaving the French Alps.

Beyond that though, I just really like the vibe of the Evian Masters. It may seem superficial but I love the event's bright pink color palette that looks so dynamic against the the clear blue sky. And the fact that the field is so international and the setting so magical make it special... even when one's experiencing it from afar.

And that brings me the creativity and dedication of the Evian Masters digital media and communications teams. They did an awesome job and provided tons of engaging, up-to-the-minute content... much of it interactive... over a variety of platforms: several times a day one could find regular updates, new photos, current video and live streaming. This year there was also an iPhone app - which allowed me to keep up which what was happening on the shores of Lac Leman from the shores of coastal Connecticut where I was sailing on Saturday.

But that was then. This is now, and now the destination is Royal Birkdale Golf Club and the Ricoh Women's British Open and though the atmosphere is quite different, it's the season's final major and with all that's going on it promises to be an ultra-compelling tournament.

In preparation I recommend reading the astutely updated "2010 predictions" post of The Constructivistwriting atMostly Harmless. ~ No one I've read knows women's professional golf... on a global scale... they way he does, and he as a great way of breaking it down into bite sized pieces. In another recent post he crunched some enlightening Number-One-Player stats. Both are below:

Mostly Harmless: The Best on the LPGA: 7-Up, July 2010 Revised Edition
Mostly Harmless: The Race for #1 in the World of Women's Golf

Jiyai Shin - The Final Round Queen Wins Evian Masters

Just a few weeks after an emergency appendectomy, Jiyai Shin is once again living up to her nickname.

She grabbed her seventh LPGA victory at the Evian Masters today with a nine-foot putt on the last hole, finishing one shot ahead of Morgan Pressel, Choi Na Yeon and Alexis Thompson.



The win will likely place the the spirited South Korean back on top again in the rapidly changing Rolex Rankings.

Oh... and as if being a golf champion wasn't enough, Jiyai Shin also happens to be a gospel singer and released her first CD earlier this year. The video above is a fan tribute set to one of her songs. I don't understand Korean but it sounds pretty awesome to me.

Growing Golf: Of Shorter Layouts & Obvious Solutions

It seems like a classic no-brainer.

The fact is, recreational golf is struggling. A spate of recent reports lament course closings, fewer rounds being played and Golf businesses battling with the bottom line and a shrinking customer base.

There are numerous reasons given for the decline, but most will agree that at least one of three major factors: cost, time and difficulty can be found somewhere in each and every story of golf's current woes.

That said, a clear path to increasing participation would logically be to create and promote a golf "option" that is less expensive, less time-consuming and less difficult. Ironically the basis for that option already exists: par three, nine hole and executive courses... shorter layouts.

These types of courses actually can offer a more accessible golf "option", but they have to be made available, which would mean retrofitting longer courses into shorter courses and... equally important... promotion of such courses and the kind of golf they lend themselves to. Because as equipment technology has allowed for more and more distance... and golf carts have became ubiquitous... the recreational game has been taken over by a certain breed of neanderthal golfer who values distance over strategy. As a result shorter courses have fallen out of style and are, ironically, often the first to close in any given town. It seems today's golfers, no matter how pathetic their games may be, dismiss these courses as "too easy".

A piece by Jeff Neuman in today's Wall Street Journal addresses this topic and points to the promising development of a 12 hole par-three course on the ocean at the Bandon Dunes complex in Oregon. The course is being designed Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw with strategy, creativity and ...shockingly, fun... in mind. It seems many of the area's golfers are delighted with the idea. ~ I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in hoping this might be a trend.

Photo: Vail's Grove Golf Course is a friendly 9-hole track in Brewster, NY, where I played last week. It was fun and challenging round that took less than two hours.

Evian Masters 2010 - Maria Verchenova's Flirty Skirts

Flirty is actually an understatement.

Bright yellow and ultra ruffly, the multi-tiered mini that Maria wore at the Evian Masters yesterday went beyond flirty. It's certainly the most... feminine... golf skirt I've ever seen. It brings a fun, festive look to the course... and I totally Love it.

The designer of this flirty skirt is well known in golf circles, but not so much in the fashion design world. Yet. It's Maria herself. The frilly garment... and a matching one in pink that she wore at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open... is part of the Russian golfer's new clothing line.

I'll have more on Maria... and her fashion line... later. Oh and before you ask... black bike shorts.

Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images - Europe

Only Two Things: Are Americans Puritanical?

The best women golfers in the world are in Europe right now. They're in Evian-Les-Bains, a magically beautiful place between the shores of Lake Geneva and the towering peaks of the French Alps, getting ready for this week's the Evian Masters.

We'll be talking about this popular tournament in the the first part of our show tonight... as well the recent Open Championship and the upcoming Ricoh Women's British Open. And because it's being talked about so much lately, we'll also touch upon the increasingly global nature of professional golf.

Which leads us to the second part of our show and our topic: Are Americans Puritanical? And consequently, is "the-rest-of-the-world" much more open-minded and enlightened than we yanks are? That's what I'll be asking on the show tonight, inspired by the current international golf events and and by an experience I had over this past weekend.

We were in New York City for a dinner party on Saturday, at the new home of my college roommate, who originally comes from Denmark. She's lived in the US since she met her American husband here over a decade ago, and they recently bought an awesome UWS duplex. This was a housewarming of sorts.

Both Britta and David have international jobs; she works fora UN Agency and he's with an international bank. As a result their guests were from all over the globe. In fact, of the 16 of us, only four... including myself and our host... were US natives. The other two Americans were guys... one married to a Colombian and the other to a Russian... while my husband Nick, as you may already know, is French. There was also a British couple and a Swiss couple... and rounding out the multifarious mix, a Jordanian with his Finnish fiancee and an Italian whose date was from Singapore.

Everyone's English was quite fluent... made more so by the copious cocktails and excellent wine... and there was a lot of light-hearted banter about the cultural nuances expats encounter when living in the US. After dinner as we sipped coffee and Courvoisier, David... who tends to get very obnoxious verbose when he's blitzed had a couple of drinks... declared, "Americans are puritanical idiots whose judgmental attitudes lead them to pornography obsessions and psychiatrist's couches". Or something to that effect. Anyway, as you can imagine, his sloshy statement led to a very lively discussion... and made me think this would be a great topic for "Only Two Things". So that's what I'll be asking tonight. Are Americans in fact "puritanical" as a society and does this lead to hypocrisy and closed-mindedness? Did it perhaps, exacerbate the the consequences of the Tiger Woods scandal?

That's what we'll be talking about tonight on "Only Two Things". We'll be broadcasting from 9:30 - 10:30PM ET. And you can weigh in, on-air by using call-in number 917-889-9592. Or join the conversation in the chat room or on Twitter... or just listen at BlogTalkRadio. Talk to you tonight.

Rambling Rory McIlroy will Play in 2010 Egyptian Open

The increasingly global nature of professional golf was a hot topic during the Open Championship last week.

As the final round played out on the windy fairways of the Old Course at St. Andrews, the leaderboard was festooned with flags of many colors, including a pair each from South Africa, England, Sweden and Spain and one each from Germany, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Asia was present too... represented by a Korean amateur.

The stars and stripes were conspicuously absent from contention, which had some lamenting the demise of US dominance, but with golf set to become an Olympic sport again in 2016, those who are working to build international interest in the game are undoubtedly embracing the global trend.

To that end some of the world's top players are venturing forth to emerging golf markets. Players like the whimsical World Number Seven Rory McIlroy, who'll be the star attraction when the European Challenge Tour stages its first official event in Cairo Egypt. In mid-October, on the heels of his expected Ryder Cup debut, Rory will be joining Europe's young talent for The Egyptian Open at the JW Marriott Mirage City Golf Club.

"Having Rory McIlroy with us will help focus attention on Egypt" said the country's Golf Federation Chairman, Ayman Hussein, adding that Egypt was a country with "a bright golfing future to match its reputation as the original home of the game in the Middle East".

Rory captured his first European Tour title at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic and finished the year as runner-up behind champion Lee Westwood of England at the inaugural Dubai World Championship. His first US win came a couple of months ago at Quail Hollow. He's clearly a global golfer... and one who would seem to be perfectly positioned for the sport's international future.

Awesome Alpine Golf - The 2010 Evian Masters

There's not a more breathtaking venue on any golf tour than Evian Les Bains. On the southern shore of Lake Geneva, its verdant landscape is backed the towering snow capped French Alps.

There's a tree-lined lakeside promenade, lined with trees and elegant gardens, and there are numerous chateaus and spas. I spent a week in Evian almost 10 years ago when I lived in Paris, and was charmed by the fairytale scenery and alpine architecture. Unfortunately, this was before I'd ever picked up a golf club so I didn't even visit the Evian Masters Golf Club. It's a beautiful woodland course situated between the lake shore and the mountains and host to the Evian Masters tournament, that begins this week.

The Evian Masters is a major on the European Tour and one of the most universally loved stops. Ai Miyiazato is the defending champion and Americans Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer and Julie Inkster have won in recent years.

Television Coverage in the US is not what it could be, and there have been a number of complaints about that:

Jul 22 6:30-8:30 PM ET GC ~ ~ Jul 23 6:30-8:30 PM ET GC
Jul 24 1:00-4:00 PM ET GC ~ ~ Jul 25 1:00-4:00 PM ET GC

The tournament however, does a number of awesome things to share the action with fans and viewers... like live segments on their website, and continually updated photo galleries... as well as interactive guestbooks were you can leave messages for favorite players. You can follow the Evian Masters on Twitter and facebook too. And this year there's a new iPhone app especially for the Evian Masters that brings yet another kind of coverage.

There'll be activities going on all week too. In fact, the EMJC 2010 junior tournament took place over the past couple of days, and today Michelle Wie presented a trophy to the 2010 winning team: Team France. How perfect is that?

Of Turtlenecks and Polo Shirts - the 2010 British Open

It's a look that's been around forever, but I've certainly never see so much of it... at least not in one place. I'm talking about the "short-sleeved-polo shirt-over-a-long sleeved-undershirt" look.

In the past, at the Open Championship... and other events where the weather was blustery... a more traditional sweater-over-a-polo-shirt, (possibly topped by a wind shirt or jacket) was the way most players confronted brisk conditions. The few who topped a long-sleeved turtle neck with a polo shirt looked... like dorks somewhat odd.

Over the past several days however... on the fairways and greens of the Old Course... myriad versions of that once unfashionable look have been on display. So much so that I think it now officially qualifies as a trend.

Last week at St. Andrews some wore it well... while others just couldn't get past dorky.

I like Phil Mickelson and I like a pink polo shirt... but please don't put them together with a long sleeved, moisture-wicking black compression undergarment between them. It just looks wrong. Right?

Lefty was far from the only layered player fashion victim. England's Ross Fisher is young and lean, but still looked weird in his polo-over-UnderArmour. And he wore some version of it for each anround. Talk about a sartorial strike-out. And the layers at left on Lucas Glover, look like what guys in these parts wear to the driving range.

Call me old-fashioned, but here's how I see it: a short sleeved shirt over a long sleeved shirt should be... interesting anomaly... an idiosyncratic style sported by a player like Y.E. Yang, who looks good in idiosyncratic. That's the way it always was in the past, no matter what kind of cold, windy weather presented itself.

To me it's kind of like Ryo Ishikawa's perfectly coordinated Yonex outfits or Rickie Fowlers distinctive PUMA Caps and Shoes. Those two players own those looks... and I'm a huge fan of both... but I think it would be farcical if the majority of players adopted either style.

At the time Seve Ballesteros won the 1984 Open Championship at St. Andrews he was considered fierce and flamboyant yet looked unquestionably elegant in a navy blue v-neck sweater over a white collared shirt, dark trousers and white shoes. If he were playing today I suppose he might have worn a navy blue polo shirt over white UnderAmour... and twenty years from now some futuristic golf blogger might nostalgically refer to the look as old-fashioned and charming.

"Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread like viruses do." so writes Malcolm Gladwell in his book "The Tipping Point". He goes on to define the tipping point as "the levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable." which makes me think that at the 2010 British Open a certain layered look may have reached the tipping point.

Photos: Getty Images

At The Chiquita Classic: A Stenson-Inspired Striptease

While multiple layers were being worn by many at the Open Championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, it was a far different story half way around the world in Cincinnati, OH.

That's where the Nationwide Tour is this week for the Chiquita Classic, and with the temperature hovering around 90, and humidity factoring in, there is certainly no need for Under Armour. In fact, in a scene reminiscent of a... Henrick Stenson movie... spectators were treated to a relatively rare event: "the golf tournament striptease".

The stripper golfer in question was David Morland IV, and whether he was inspired by the Swede's 2009 "revealing shot seen round the world" is not clear, but the fact is, Morland IV revealed decidedly more than what's customary at TPC River's Bend yesterday when his second shot... on the fourth hole... found the drink.

Ultimately the Canadian golfer stopped short of removing his trousers and elected to take a drop, but his flirtation with Stenson-like fame... as he contemplated his options... was captured in the photo above.

Was this the correct decision? Well I'm not quite sure: his scorecard shows a birdie on the par 3 four, followed by a 2+ bogie on five, so I'm inclined to think there may be some confusion as to exactly where Mr. Morland actually met this watery fate. In the end however he finished the round at -1 which with the cut-line projected to be -4, doesn't bode well for the weekend. You can follow the Chiquita Classic at PGATour.com and on Facebook.

Photo: Michael Cohen/Getty Images North America

Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center Now Open

You may remember the hardhat Cristie Kerr wore almost one year ago to announce the groundbreaking for the Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center in Jersey City, NJ.

Well, a year goes by and the center is now open... along with the LibertyHealth Imaging Center... on the campus of Jersey City Medical Center, taking appointments and seeing patients at the first full-service breast cancer center in Hudson County.

This represents a tangible leap forward in breast cancer care & prevention for the population it serves, and the center's opening is undoubtedly a proud moment for the world's number one woman golfer whose charity, Birdies for Breast Cancer, was created in 2004 to help fund just such projects.

St. Andrews Awesomeness - Ryo Ishikawa in Pink

A few weeks ago Ryo Ishikawa hit the fairways of Pebble Beach in an outfit so impressively pink it inspired an admiring tweet from Paula Creamer.

The shade was bubblegum... but not just any bubblegum, I'm talking the really bright kind. As in, Bubblicious Strawberry Splash.

That however, was California, the birthplace of Malibu Barbie. Clearly Scotland calls for something more understated... with perhaps a touch of tartan.

Well, at St. Andrews earlier this week Ryo once again stepped up to the proverbial plate tee. During a practice round on the Old Course he wore a pink-on-pink ensemble that seemed inspired by a Victorian tea party... up-to-and-including the tartan table cloth. The only things missing were tea cakes and teddy bears. ~ And that's what I love about Ryo. The fact that he wears whimsical so well.

Today's first round found our Bashful Prince in a more conservative mood. Playing with Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington, the Japanese prodigy sported solid white trousers and a wind-shirt in the color Crayola calls Cornflower. Sartorially speaking, it may not have been Ryo's most exciting look but he finished the round with a respectable -4. ~ And I can hardly wait to see what he does wears tomorrow.

Bonne fête aux golfeurs et golfeuses de la France

Défilés et feux d'artifices... et peut-être même une partie de golf. ~ Alors, bonne fête French friends!

We call it Bastille Day over here, and generally we celebrate by drinking Champagne. Alors, yay!

I played golf with my J'adore Paris tees today. It was awesome... and magnifique!

All the other golfers were coveting them and... I might add... attempting to steal them. After all, what could be cooler than hitting off the Eiffel Tower.

Especially on Quatorze juillet.

Ladies at the 19th Hole-Tonight on "Only Two Things"

The proverbial 19th Hole, that pub on or near the golf course where golfers go for a drink after a round. It's a fun place where the delights... and disasters... of the day can be rehashed, convivially, over a beer or cocktail. ~ But are ladies always welcome? Or, on the contrary, are they welcomed... a bit too warmly?

This debate arose out of a couple emails I received recently within days of eachother: The first was from a woman who wrote that she and her friends loved the idea of having a round of drinks after their round of golf, but that the bar at their club consistently attempted to seat them in an "isolated, undesirable corner of the room, far away from everyone else". She specified that she and her friends were basically the only women who ever patronized the establishment and whether it was busy or not, they had to lobby to be seated where everyone else was. ~ Then came a note that told a very different tale. This was from a gal who claimed she and her playing partners couldn't enjoy their post-golf cocktails at the course because they were continually "hit upon" by the "other" (aka: male) patrons.

So yes, there's definitely something to be debated here: When it comes to the "19th hole", are women less than welcome... or overly welcome? Or are they just making a big deal about nothing? That's what we'll be talking about tonight on "Only Two Things". ~ We'll be broadcasting from 9:30 - 10:30PM ET at SportCityChefs on BlogTalkRadio ...and as always, you can weigh in, on-air by calling 917-889-9592. Or join the conversation in the chat room or on Twitter at #onlytwothings.

A Little Tartan Book Signing & Golf in New Canaan.

Elm Street Books is a warm and welcoming place. ~ It's an independent bookstore where general manager Kathleen Millard and her staff greet many shoppers by name. ~ They carry an awesomely eclectic mix of books plus a unique selection of toys and gifts.

New Canaan and it's neighboring towns are home to a substantial number of golfers. The New Canaan Country Club features a tight, tree lined turn-of-the-century course listed by the USGA as one of the first 100 clubs established in the U.S. It was redesigned by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in 1960 and by all accounts is a pleasure to play. ~ About 15 minutes away is Pound Ridge Country Club... the fabulous Pete Dye course I wrote about a while back... and there are many other, including beautiful Richter Park, where you'll often find me struggling playing on a Saturday afternoon. However this past Saturday I was in the center of New Canaan at the aforementioned Elm Street Books signing copies of my Little Tartan Book.

Several avid readers of Golf Girl's Diary stopped by and it was great to connect with them in person. I also met quite a few golfers who'd never read any kind of "golf blog" before and were surprised when I explained there were thousands of them.
















I brought along some of my "Country Club Cupcakes" and "Sweet Arnie" cocktails because... they're the kind of refreshments that make any event more festive. I'll be posting a schedule of additional signing events in the next couple of days, and if they're as much fun as Saturday at Elm Street book I've definitely got something to look forward too.

Keeping Up With the Birdie Sisters

They're a lot busier than the Kardashians, and they don't even have a reality show... yet. Not to say there won't be one in the future, but for the time being, Erica and Myah Jackson have too much else going on.

"Busy" doesn't even begin to describe what their days are like. To get an idea of what I'm talking about, check out their June/July schedule:

June 1: Chicago Public Schools’ Golf Skills Competition
June 2: Erica Jackson’s 6th Grade trip to Springfield, IL
June 12-15: World Youth Challenge @ Bolingbrook Golf Course
June 13: Dance Recital at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park
June 14-16: Optimist Qualifier in Decatur, IL – Myah
June 16: Little Brother John’s Preschool Graduation
June 20-23: Little People’s Golf Championship – Quincy, IL
June 28-30: Country Youth Classic — Bloomington, IL
July 11-15: Callaway Junior World Championships, San Diego, CA
July 11-15: Tiger Woods National Junior Golf Team Banquet and Golf
July 16-18: Mid-West Golf Association, Junior Golf Championships, Lima, OH
July 20: Illinois Junior Golf Association (“IJGA”) Erica
July 22: IJGA – Erica   July 23: IJGA – Myah
July 29: IJGA – Myah  July 30: IJGA – Erica

Is that not amazing? And the golf these young ladies are playing this summer is highly competitive... with many national and global tournaments included.

In early June, Erica played on the USA Mid-West Team in the World Youth Challenge, a 4-day tournament with teams from across the country and around the world. Though her team didn't win, they remained competitive and the team golf experience was a valuable one according to the elder Birdie sister, who turned 12 not long ago.

That event overlapped with Myah's amazing showing at the qualifier for the Optimist International Championship tournament. She finished with the lowest score of all the girls and received an exemption to participate in the International Championship” that takes place in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, July 22-27. Unfortunately she won't be able to take advantage of her exemption this year due to financial constraints, but doing so well in the qualifier was a great confidence-builder.

At the end of June both Birdie Sisters were huge winners at the Country Youth Classic in Bloomington, IL. Myah won the long-drive, putting and overall short game contests, Erica won putting and short game... and both "brought home the gold" in their age group by winning the 2-day, 36 hole tournament.

Right now Myah and Erica are on the west coast, in the San Diego area for the prestigious Calloway Junior World Championships, where they'll be playing with the most promising young golfers from all over the world. Looking at the roster of players I was amazed by all the countries represented and past winners have included the stars of today. People like Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Lorena Ochoa, Corey Pavin, Nick Price, Amy Alcott, David Toms, Jennifer Rosales and Tiger Woods. Play starts tomorrow and runs through Friday and I'm hoping to get a couple of updates as the week goes on.

So that's a brief update on he exciting, action-packed lives of Myah and Erica Jackson. We hope to resume our radio show in the fall once things calm down a bit, and maybe we'll even consider that reality show one of these days. In the meantime be sure to visit the Birdie Sisters' website for current updates.

The Molinari Brothers - Inspired Italian Golf

Just a few months ago most Americans... including many who consider themselves ardent golf fans... knew nothing of the Molinari brothers. And if asked to name an Italian golfer they'd likely need to refer to the Google.

Some however, would remember the 1995 Open Championship, when Constantino Rocca, a wonderfully demonstrative Italian, sank a 60 foot putt on the 18th at St Andrews to make the birdie he needed force a play-off with... John Daly. And while JD ultimately won the Claret Jug that year, Rocca's reaction to the implausible putt is considered one of the most memorable ever.

The former caddy is the only Italian to ever play in the Ryder Cup. He appeared in 1993, 1995 and 1997, and had a 6-5-0 win-loss-half record, including 1 win and 2 losses in singles matches. That one singles win came in a crucial match against Tiger Woods in the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama, which Rocca won 4 & 2 to help Europe claim the cup. The victory against Woods was one of Woods' first losses in singles play. Rocca's 53% winning record in the Cup is one of the best in European team history.

As for the Molinaris, they list Constantino Rocca as a major inspiration, as does their coach Alberto Binaghi.

I first "discovered" the impressive brothers from Turin in late November when they won the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup together. I've written about them a many times since ... because, well, they've done some impressive things over the past six months. And with Edoardo's win at the Barclays Scottish Open yesterday... and Francesco's fourth place finish there... the Molinaris are in line to become the first brothers to play together in a Ryder Cup Championship since Bernard and Geoffrey Hunt almost 40 years ago.

Which would be just one more milestone in the fraternally fabulous careers of Edoardo and Francesco Molinari.

Photos: Getty Images, Harry How --- Andrew Reddington

A Saturday Signing at Awesome Elm Street Books

I'm going to be in the charming Southwestern CT town of New Canaan tomorrow, for a book signing event at Elm Street Books.

New Canaan is a great place to spend a Saturday. It's a town with lots of history, many unique and eclectic shops a wide array of dining options. Elm Street Books is the quintessential community bookstore. It's warm and welcoming and clearly presided over with care. It's a place to find all the best sellers and discover titles and authors you may never have heard of.

So if you're in the area, why not stop by. I'll be there from noon to 2:30 and we'll be serving my signature "Country Club Cupcakes" and "Sweet Arnie" cocktails while supplies last. Hope to see you there.

Elm Street Books - 35 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840

Win An Awesome Open Championship Tribute

As a golf history buff I would have loved to be at St. Andrews for the upcoming Open Championship and the 150th birthday of the renowned course, but there's just no way I could fit a trip to Scotland next week... and believe me I tried.

Yesterday however, I received a copy of "THE OPEN: Golf's Oldest Major" a gorgeous new book by golf writer, architect and historian Donald Steele, which is definitely the next best thing.

The book revisits the history of the championship and explores not just St. Andrews but each of the fourteen legendary courses on which The Open's been played. Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of evocative and stunning photos, captures the spirit, excitement and tradition of the Open and the dynamic beauty of the links courses that have hosted it.

And... I've got a copy to give away. Just send me an email with your name and mailing address. I'll announce the winner with a video drawing on Sunday July 18, after the final round is played at St. Andrews. My address is patricia@GolfGirlMedia.com.

Spain & Netherlands Compete for World & Ryder Cups

So it turns out a couple of ancient adversaries (remember the Dutch Revolts back in the middle ages?) will be facing off in the 2010 World Cup final. The match will take place Sunday at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

The Netherlands vs Spain? Who saw that coming? I mean really. When Spain lost to Switzerland in their first match even some avid España fans had their doubts... and since the beginning the Netherlands have been thought of as "good but not great".

In the end though, many feel this will be an ultra-exciting final, with two good teams competing for their first World Cup Victory.

In a golf related sidebar... that may fuel additional competitive animosity... both countries have submitted bids to host the 2018 Ryder Cup Championship. Along with France, Germany Sweden and Portugal the two world cup finalist are candidates.













...and finally, what would the World Cup be without a touch of salaciousness? To that end, Paraguyan model Larissa Riquelme, has declared that she will still run nude through the streets of Asuncion despite Paraguay's loss to Spain, and Dutch porn star Bobbi Eden has promised via Twitter that she "will give a BJ to *bleep* all my followers" if the Netherlands wins the soccer tournament this weekend". The ladies are clearly ardent fans of Futbol.

Oakmont Eats Golfers for Breakfast... One by One

That's what they say... and players are preparing for an epically challenging U.S. Women's Open, made more grueling by a record breaking heatwave. World number one Cristie Kerr called it "...one of the hardest courses I've ever seen" ...and I think we can assume she's seen a few hard courses.



I'll be in Oakmont for Saturday's round which is especially awesome because I didn't think I'd be able to make it happen... and I love heat and humidity (I know, I'm weird) so the weather isn't an issue for me either. However I'm flying out with a friend who just obtained her pilot's license a month ago, and that sort of is. Hmmm... what we won't do for golf.

Only Two Things - The Career-Family Conundrum

The topic is cominig up a lot lately, particularly where the LPGA tour is concerned: Can women do both?

Can they play golf at a top level, AND thrive as wife and mother? Does an increasingly global tour mean more "early retirements?" ~ That's what we'll be talking about tonight on "Only Two Things". We'll be broadcasting from 9:30 - 10:30PM ET. And you can weigh in, on Air. Use call-in number 917-889-9592. Or join the conversation in the chat room or on Twitter... or just listen at BlogTalkRadio. Talk to you tonight. More later. ;o)

Sexy World Cup Avatars & An Exotic Golf Discovery

OK, The World Cup. Not a golf event but a global sporting event significant enough that I'd feel remiss in ignoring it.

So it's down to four teams. And that's part of the problem for us casual fans of futbol/Soccer. Like in golf when Tiger's not playing and the casual fans drop out... or just shift their attention elsewhere.

Well the USA (for patriotic reasons) and Brazil (for other reasons) were my "Tigers"... so to speak... but I'm not going to be a World Cup drop-out. Because I really do like the game, and I've got multiple friends from each one of the remaining countries. So yes, bring on the semifinals!



Uruguay vs Netherlands starts in just a couple of hours... then tomorrow - same time... it'll be Spain vs Germany ... and we'll have our final... and that's when I'll pick my team. In the meantime, at the World Cup website, you can create these sexy adorable avatars. You can customize the hair and facial features, plus the accessories. Then you pick a team jersey... and it's really fun! Or maybe I'm just a big procrastinator attempting to avoid my Monday mondainities. (Yes, Monday Tuesday is admin day)

The thing is... what I love about the World Cup, and the Olympics ... and yes, golf... is the global aspect. Players from all over the world and competitions on all corners of the globe make a sport more interesting. To me anyway.

And that brings me to my exotic golf discovery. While choosing a jersey for one of my avatars I actually discovered a whole new country. It's called Vanuatu, ever heard of it? I didn't think so.

I was initially attracted by the snappy looking Vanuatu jersey... then I did a bit of research. Vanuatu it appears, is a pretty awesome, bordering-on-paradisaical, place. It's a volcanic island in the middle of the South Pacific... in the general vicinity of New Caledonia and Fiji... and it has what looks like a very cool, wonderfully casual and inclusive golf culture. I'll definitely write more about Vanuatu in a future post. And may possibly consider moving there eventually.

In the meantime, I've got a soccer match to watch. ---> Update: The Netherlands won and... and will therefor be in the final... Against Spain or Germany. They play tomorrow.

Alstom Open de France & The French Ryder Cup Bid

No matter how old you are, repeatedly being told you're the oldest... anything... has got to get old pretty quickly.

By the time Miguel Angel Jimenez lifted the ornate silver trophy yesterday at Golf National, I'd guess he was already quite sick of hearing how he was the tournament's oldest winner. As you've probably heard, he won the Alstom Open de France... and as soon as he did everyone was talking about how at 46, he was the oldest ever to win this tournament. Not only that, he was the also the eighth oldest champion in European Tour history.

The colorful Spaniard isn't the type to take things to heart however, and quickly positioned his age as an asset... both for winning the French Open and for securing a place on Colin Montgomerie's Ryder Cup team. “Experience is always important,” said Jimenez post-playoff. “These two guys are playing very well. But, you know, the experience, also, is one of the keys. On 18, I hit my ball in the middle of the fairway and both of them missed the fairway. The win moved The Mechanic, who's had ten European Tour wins since he turned 40, into sixth place in the European Ryder Cup rankings.

Like MAJ, the Open de France ALSTOM has been around for a while. In fact, it's the oldest national open championship in continental Europe, dating back to 1906. In France's bid for the 2018 Ryder Cup, the country's golf history will be highlighted, along with the attributes of Le Golf National as a Ryder Cup venue. I attended the Open de France three years ago and was impressed with how quick and easy it was to get to the course from the center of Paris. I just hopped on a commuter train, and within 20 minutes I was in Versailles, from there it's just a 10 minute shuttle to Golf National. The course... as we saw yesterday... lends itself to the kind of dramatic finish that makes Ryder Cup competitions memorable.

The French will face stiff competition from Spain, Portugal, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. French golfer Thomas Levet, who played in the 2004 Ryder Cup and has five European Tour wins, was one of was one of those who worked on France's Ryder Cup bid and he feels it's very strong. He even indicated that the Chateau de Versailles might be the setting for some of the official functions. How romantic is that?

The winning bid will be announced next Spring, in the meantime, Follow the French bid on Facebook.

Photo: Getty Images by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe

And In Rickie Fowler News, The British Open Just Got Brighter

The news came in the form of a status update on his Facebook fan page: "Just found out I will be taking the John Deere Classic Charter flight over Sunday night to play in the British Open next week!!"

Rickie, who's ranked 37th in the world, got into the Open Championship field... along with Jeff Overton... by being one of the two highest-ranked players, not already exempt.

At this point the extended outlook for St. Andrews is looking kind of cool and showery, so hopefully Rickie'll pack some of those gorgeous PUMA sweaters jumpers. Rain-gear may be needed as well, and I'm assuming he's had a set made in orange.

In any case, the legions of Rickie Fowler in the UK fans will certainly be delighted... and I've got a number of readers who are undoubtedly scouring the internet at this very moment for last minute flights, accomodations and multi-day passes, destination: St. Andrews.

Golf Just Got Sexier - Poodle at the Tenerife Ladies Open

There's no shortage of sizzle in Tenerife this weekend.

The ruggedly beautiful Spanish Island... which lies off the coast of Africa... has long been a popular tourist destination for Northern Europeans in search of sunshine, and for the past several days it's played host to the LET's Tenerife Ladies Open.

Buenavista golf course where the tournament is taking place designed by Seve Ballesteros and features amazing Atlantic ocean vistas backed by the dramatic peaks of the Tenos mountains.

The final round is set to begin in just a few hours, with eight-time Solheim Cup player, Trish Johnson leading by three. The thing that I always find amazing when I look at an LET leaderboard is how many different nationalities are represented and this tournament is no exception. I counted 19 different flags on today's board.

Unique golf apparel designer Poodle, is a sponsor at this year's Tenerife Ladies Open and has outfitted several of the players in awesomely eye catching outfits. Frédérique Seeholzer, Nathalie David-Mila and Anastasia Kostina are wearing Poodle's sexy, athletic chic styles.

Poodle, I found out, is as "global" as the Ladies European Tour. Based in Amsterdam, they partner with exciting golf events and initiatives all over Europe, their designs reflect global influences as well. ... and I was amazed to find out that founder Wendy Byrne grew up in New Milford (about 10 minutes from where I live) and often caddied for her dad in tournaments at Candlewood Valley Country Club, where I play all the time.

Below is a short clip featuring Frédérique, Nathalie and Anastasia wearing Poodle in Tenerife. It'll give you an glimpse of how uniquely stylish the Poodle line is. I also put in a photo of American player (and BigBreak Ka'annapali winner) Kim Welsh, who's also playing in the tournament. To find out more about Poodle and see additional styles check out their Website, Facebook and Flickr pages. And... you can follow them on Twitter.

If you like unique globally influenced golf fashion you'll definitely want to keep up with Poodle.

Shannon Hall, Birdy & Grace Golf Woman of the Year

She's a real woman with a passion for golf, and that's just what golf apparel company Birdy & Grace was looking for when they set out to find their Golf Woman of the Year. Shannon Hall is a full-time registered nurse, she's also a wife and a mom and does tons of volunteer work.

So much for those of us who complain about never having time for golf, right?

Shannon makes time for golf because she sees it as an invaluable way to relax and spend quality time with friends and family. As a cancer survivor she has a profound appreciation for things some of us take for granted.

As the Birdy & Grace Golf Woman of the Year, the Wilmington, North Carolina RN will participate in a photo shoot with a fabulous photography team and become “cover girl” for the Birdy & Grace Spring 2011 campaign.

Birdy & Grace is located in Greenwich, CT, my home town, and I fell in love with the line shortly after I started playing golf. From the beginning I was amazed at how every item works equally on or off the golf course... and looks equally awesome in either setting.

There's more on Shannon and the two amazing Golf Woman of the Year runners-up on the Birdy & Grace website.

LeBron James & Dwyane Wade - Free Agent Swingers

They're clearly the world's most fascinating NBA free agents, but which one has the better golf swing?

I don't know the answer to that but I'm guessing someone might. What I have learned is that LeBron tends to play with billionaires, which isn't surprising as he's made no secret of his desire to join their ranks. While sharing a golf cart with Warren Buffet may have allowed Mr. James to pick up some effective investment tips, I rather doubt the Bill Gates pendulum demo did much for his putting stroke and it looks to me like that particular billionaire boys outing was really boring extremely sedate.

As for Dwyane Wade, he seems more inclined towards the fun kind of golf: celebrity charity tournaments featuring pretty girls, awesome outfits and red carpet photo backdrops. As far as his actual golf skills are concerned, I have a feeling they may have been compromised by overexposure to Charles Barkley during the filming of a golf themed T-Mobile ad.

The rumor that's really been burning up the buzz-meters though is the one that placed LeBron and Dwyane together with fellow free agent Chris Bosh at Miami Golf Club for DJ Irie's recent charity Tournament and had them talking about the possibility that they all may be playing for the same south Florida team next year. Not a particularly rosy scenario if you're not into the Miami Heat.

I'd venture to guess that if this ambitious triple signing actually does happen, these gentlemen will have no trouble finding a fourth... even on very short notice.